“I think the amount of games they’ve played and the maturity they gain, they know you have to be bang at your game at this level, every time, to get a result. I think that’s certainly helped them.

“I think that comes with experience. With every game that he plays he’ll know, especially being the last line, that you have to be so clued-in to decision-making and being a defender. First and foremost, that’s his job, to defend.”

Baker’s bravery has impressed Lambert who never expects the former Lincoln loanee to lose aerial challenges to centre-forwards or be physically over-powered by his opponents.

“He’s been excellent, Nathan, if the truth be known,” said Lambert.

“He’s set the tone in some games in the first couple of minutes. The thing with Nathan is he will go into things when you stand on the sidelines and think ‘wow, hang back a bit’.

“He’s that committed to the challenge. I think he’s played really well, Nathan, I really do. He’s been excellent for us, him and Ron at the centre of that defence.

“I expect Nathan to win his physical battles and his headers because of the size of the guy. I think you know what you’re going to get from Nathan. Having Ron beside him certainly calms him down.”

Baker rarely utters a word around the training ground – but Lambert believes the softly-spoken centre-back will become an established Premier League player in the next few seasons.

“Once he discovers the art of speaking, he’ll be all right!” smiled Lambert.

“I’ve never heard him speak, Nathan, but on the pitch, fantastic. He’s still a baby but this whole experience will stand these lads in great stead. Once they hit their mid-20s, and have grown up, they’ll be really good players.”